very small hotels

SHU’MATA CAMP, under Kilimanjaro – HEAVEN ON EARTH IN TANZANIA

In Maijo’s language, Maa, “Shu’mata” means something like “above the clouds” or “heaven”. To me, this luxurious refuge, made up of a handful of living tents in Hemingway style, is a piece of the very magic of which East Africa is made. “Shu’mata” is not a real national park, not folklore commercialized, not even a ‘real’ hotel. It is a small but amazing permanent camp on a hill in the midst of original Maasailand. It is an unforgettable place, even if not memorised on photographs.

Shu’mata Camp is directly under Kilimanjaro with spectacular views of the African Savannah. Its in traditional Maasailand bordering the world famous Amboseli National Park. The camp is located within the Amboseli ecosystem focusing on elephant protection and survival. The ‘Sparkling elephant’ project in the closest village called Sinya at the foot of the seven sisters focus on education & awareness at grass root level in the Sinya boarding schools. The big cat guardians support the area converting the Maasai warriors into lion guardians, building fences around the cattle, goat and sheep engang and installing solar lamps to keep the big cats out of the Maasai bomas. This way we protect the Maasai and their livestock from being attack and the lions from being speared, killed and becoming extinct.

Lions, rhinos and elephants but also all other plain and special game roaming the African Savannah, woodlands, deserts, grass steppe & rainforest are on the verge of becoming extinct. Just imagine a world without the African beast. How much life ! Filled with beauty and innocence will be gone. Our pillars! Its time to act. Tourism is the main income source for many sub-Saharan African countries. Book your safari and make an effort to assist tourism in Africa to make Africa’s wildlife valuable while staying ALIVE!

Special !

Early Bird Special: Book 6 months in advance and get 10% discount on the seasonal rate. This offer is valid for bookings from 16. January to 15. December 2014. Long Term Stay Special: Discount of 7 nights for six paid. This offer is valid from January 16th – December 15th, 2014. Last Minute Booking Specials: Book 2 weeks or less before arrival and get discount of 15% of the rate. This offer is valid from 16. January to 15. December 2014. Subject to availability. Low Season Special: Stay 7 nights for the price of 5 or 4 nights for the price of 3. Valid from March 15-June 15, 2014 and Nov 1-Dec 15, 2014.

Boutique Hotel Matlai is located in Michamwi, on the south east coast of the beautiful island of Zanzibar, and offers its guests a piece of paradise in luxury accommodation overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean. Made up of a 4-bedroom villa surrounded by a tropical garden, Hotel Matlai is perfect for families or a group of friends.

Asili House is is located right on the beach. The four beautifully furnished bedrooms are named after the elements; Moto meaning fire, Hewa meaning air, Dunia meaning earth and Maji meaning water in Kiswahili. Two of the rooms are furnished with twin beds while the other two rooms have double beds. All rooms also feature an en-suite bathroom with a bath. 

A tropical garden surrounds the house and merges into the spacious lounge and dining area where guests can enjoy meals. The palm-shaped pool invites guests to relax and offers both sea and beach views. Water, soft drinks, tea and coffee is provided and a TV and DVD player is available on request. 

The excellent chef will spoil guests with traditional Kiswahili cuisine, with freshly caught seafood or with request meals at a time that suits them. Guests will also have a personal butler at their disposal. 

Opposite to the hotel, guests will find an offshore sand bar with white sand and a magnificent snorkelling area to reach on foot at low tide. A variety of activities for all age groups can be enjoyed, from volleyball, boule and beach ball or cross golf. Guests can also visit the open-air-cinema or enjoy a book at the library’s selection of paperback books in German and English. Various tours and attractions can be visited and an island tour can also be arranged. 

The Hatari Lodge is a farm turned luxury bush hotel, located in woodland on the edge of the Momella swamp, right under Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. The hotel has three buildings containing only nine rooms, each with an open fireplace and en-suite bathroom.

Rather unexpectedly, the rooms are decorated in a sort of retro safari style. Funky plastic furniture and geometric wallpaper from the Sixties and Seventies are accented with sculpted zebra and elephant heads, animal prints, as well as African carvings.

Sit out on the breakfast terrace and enjoy views of dormant volcano Mount Meru, Kilimanjaro and the Arusha National Park. If you’re lucky enough you may see some of the local wildlife too.

Hatari Lodge is your number one Arusha property in the wilderness and only 45 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), approximately a 1-hour drive. Daily direct connection with KLM from Amsterdam to KIA and a once a week with Thomas Cook/Condor directly from Frankfurt to KIA. More direct options from Europe with Swiss, British Airways, KLM and Kenya Airways to Nairobi and Dar es Salaam with comfortable connecting flights on local airlines.

Hatari offers transfers to the Lodge and an additional benefit for late arrivals (KLM) will be the night drive through Arusha National Park.

Its your perfect base from where to wake up and venture Africa! OR your prefect retreat coming back home after a long safari through the Tanzanian wilderness and National Parks.